Shotgun shell adapter



June 27, 1944. F, A. FRENCH Filed Dec. 9, 1942 I IN V EN TOR.

Patented June 27, 1944 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 1 Claim.

This invention relates to a shotgun adapter in the form of an auxiliary shotgun shell chamber adapted to be fitted in the breech of a shotgun, to the end that the usual shotgun firing mechanism of large gauge shotguns, may be used in firing sub-calibre shot shells, thereby reducing the cost of practice to the minimum, and at the same time permitting a person to use the identical gun in practice, which he uses while hunting in the field.

Another object of the invention is to provide means for adapting large gauge shotguns for use in shooting sub-calibre shot shells, so that indoor practice with the usual large gauge shotguns, will be made practicable.

Still another object of the invention is to provide means for retaining the sub-calibre shells in position for firing, when used in repeating shotguns.

A further object of the invention is to provide an adapter of this character which will guard against accidental discharge of shells when loaded in tubular magazines of repeating shotguns.

With the foregoing and other objects in view, which will appear as the description proceeds, the invention resides in the combination and arrangement of parts and in the details of construction hereinafter described and claimed, it being understood that changes in the precise embodiment of the invention herein described, may be made within the scope of what is claimed, without departing from the spirit of the invention.

Referring to the drawing:

Fig. 1 is a sectional view through the breech end of a gun barrel illustrating an adapter constructed in accordance with the invention as positioned therein.

Fig. 2 is an end elevational view of the adapter.

Fig. 3 is a sectional view taken on line 3-3 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 4 is a sectional view taken on line 4-4 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 5 is a sectional view through the front end member of the adapter.

Referring to the drawing the reference character 5 designates the usual shotgun barrel of a 20, 16, 12 or gauge gun of the single barrel type, however it is to be understood that the device forming the subject matter of the present invention, may be used efiectively with doublebarrel or repeating guns of the tubular magazine type.

The adapter, forming the subject matter of the present invention, comprises a body portion indicated generally by the reference character 6, the body portion being of a length equal to the length of the usual shotgun shell used with larger calibre shotguns.

The body portion 6 is reduced throughout the major portion of its length, providing circular end members I and 8, which are of diameters to fit within the breech of the gun.

The body portion is provided with a bore 9 which has its inner end enlarged, providing a chamber for the shell which, in the present showing is indicated by the reference character I0. The surface of the member 1, at a point adjacent to the firing pin II is recessed as at l2 to permit the finger nail or an instrument to be inserted to remove the discharged shell.

The end member 1 is also provided with an opening for the reception of the leaf spring l3 which cooperates with the retaining pin [4 that operates in an opening disposed at right angles to the bore 9. The retaining pin 14 is of a length to extend into the shell chamber, to exert pressure on the shell which has been positioned within the shell chamber of the adapter, holding the shell in position against displacement while the adapter is being handled or positioned in the gun barrel.

The outer surface of the end member 8, is also formed with a recess indicated at [5, so that when the adapters are loaded into the tubular magazine of a shotgun, accidental discharge by contact one shell with another, will be prevented.

From the foregoing it will be seen that due to the construction shown and described, I have provided an adapter which may be used in shotguns of the higher calibre, so that sub-calibre shot shells may be fired therein, thereby permitting a person to practice shooting, at a minimum cost, and with the identical gun used in hunting in the field.

What is claimed is:

A shotgunshell adapter, comprising an elongated body including circular enlargements at the ends of the body, said enlargements adapted to fit within a gun barrel, said body having a subcalibre gauge bore extending throughout the length thereof, one of the enlargements having a bore disposed longitudinally with respect to the body and having a transversely disposed bore communicating with the sub-calibre bore, a retaining pin fitted within the transversely disposed bore and adapted to engage a shell positioned within the sub-calibre gauge bore, a head on the pin adapted to limit movement of the pin by contact with the body adjacent to said bore, a leaf spring having an opening in which one end of the pin is held, said spring also engaging the wall of the bore in which it is positioned, ten- 5 sioning the spring, and said spring adapted to urge the retaining pin into the sub-calibre gauge bore, frictionally engaging a shell positioned within the sub-calibre gauge bore, holding the shell against displacement.

FRED ADAMS FRENCH. 

